Xiaorong (Sherry) Shan, Candidate for Executive Vice President
Graduate Degree Program: Doctoral student, Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing (full-time student)
Expected Date of Graduation: May 2026
Campus of Academic Department: Fairfax, Mason Square (Arlington)
Campus(es) of Classes, Work, and/or Residence: Fairfax, Mason Square (Arlington)
Biography and Candidate Statement
Hello everyone, Here I am, excited to announce my candidacy for the position of Executive Vice President of GAPSA for the academic year 2024-2025. As a passionate and dedicated student, my goal is to use this understanding to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have a positive and enriching experience during their time at our university. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving as the Vice President of Fairfax within GAPSA, a role that has allowed me to contribute to our student community. My accomplishments include: 1. Engaging in proactive dialogue with Mason’s Transportation Committee to negotiate improvements in shuttle and CUE bus schedules and address parking issues, enhancing the commuting experience for our student body. 2. Collaborating closely with the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) to organize events tailored for international students. I have actively participated in panels as a representative of the graduate international student body, advocating for their unique needs and perspectives across various community platforms. 3. Joining the President-Student Advisory Group to bring forth graduate students’ concerns at the monthly Graduate Assembly meetings. I have focused on addressing key issues such as Graduate Academic Concerns, including tuition, as well as Campus Facilities and Transportation concerns, ensuring that these vital topics are discussed at the university level. During this time, I gained a deep understanding of the issues and concerns that are important to our graduate student community. As the Executive Vice President for GAPSA in the upcoming year, I will work tirelessly to address these issues and advocate for the interests of all students. My proposed plans include: 1. Continuing to collaborate with Mason’s Transportation Committee to refine and resolve the ongoing shuttle and parking challenges between Fairfax, Mason Square, and the SciTech campuses, ensuring reliable and convenient transportation for all students. 2. Implementing regular feedback sessions from GA meetings with graduate students across all departments to gather insights and concerns directly from the student body. This initiative will ensure that students’ voices are heard and addressed promptly, promoting transparency and open communication between GAPSA and the graduate community. 3. Expanding our advocacy to address a broader spectrum of graduate student concerns with the university and college administration. This includes, but is not limited to, improving housing options, increasing scholarship resources, reviewing tuition fees, and enhancing stipend provisions, all aimed at easing the financial and logistical burdens on our students. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as your representative and am committed to collaborating with all of you to enhance our school’s environment. I humbly request your support in the upcoming election. I am eager to meet with you, to listen to your thoughts, and to discuss your ideas on how we can together improve our graduate experience. Thank you for considering my candidacy. Sincerely, Sherry Shan
Availability and Commitment to the Time and Expectations of the position
Yes. I am committed to managing my time effectively and have planned my schedule to ensure ample availability for the position, balancing it with my academic and extracurricular commitments throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.